Good morning fiberglass fans,
We have a deposit on a 2016 17B, due to be finished early December, so it may be badged a 2017. We realize we have the option to buy either style 17.
The base price would be $4000 CAD more for the 2017, new style as opposed to the "classic" mold. The primary differences I see are frameless window, flat door, and power awning. Are we missing something else that would persuade us to spend the extra money? These differences would not cause us to choose the new style.
We've only seen a 17 Escape a few times and are impressed. The goal is to sell our 13 Scamp and 17 Bigfoot to buy a "right size" trailer.
We will delay further questions until we comb the site for thoughts and opinions.
Thanks for any input on this.
Tony and Darlene

Welcome - great to have another Wisconsinite with us. Mt Horeb, the original home of the Mustard Museum isn't it?

We decided on a 2017 21' over a 2016 for many reasons, but the main one is that from my interactions with Reace and my experiences with our Escape, I know that he makes changes to designs for very good reasons. But, another factor is that we want to go to the 2017 Rally and are timing our pick up date to be just before then.

We have been amazingly pleased with our "classic" 17B and would recommend it to anyone.

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Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)

SAE Towing Standard "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw

The list of changes is in the long 2017 19 footer thread I think. One of Brian's post listed all the 17 changes too. I can't find it. Reace mentioned the insulation option is 2 times better than the old . Built-In Mirrored Medicine Cabinet in Bathroom. Wider entry door, allows bigger fridge ? Americana now? Can't remember. Mucram below said upper brake lights standard but they are were option for my 2017.

My understanding it that the fridge change will allow Reace to use ones that are designed for hotter climates rather than the current Euro models. Hopefully this will prevent some of the problems folks have experienced with current models not being able to cool properly in hot weather.

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Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)

SAE Towing Standard "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw

I do not think the bath has a medicine cabinet but the 17 and 19 share the same newer door as well as frameless windows and better refrigerator. Also the 2017 models have new led interior lights, stainless sink with pull out faucet and new black 2 burner stove as standard.

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JimThe two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why………..Mark Twain

I do not think the bath has a medicine cabinet but the 17 and 19 share the same newer door as well as frameless windows and better refrigerator. Also the 2017 models have new led interior lights, stainless sink with pull out faucet and new black 2 burner stove as standard.

In the pictures I took of the demo 17 and 19 footers, there was a medicine cabinet in the 19 but not the 17. I didn't get a chance to ask why it wasn't in there as they were absolutely slammed with work that day. I suspect it will be in future models as it's listed as a standard feature in the brochure. Most likely the mold for the cabinet wasn't ready and they wanted to keep the trailer moving along the assembly line.

We switched our 21 order over to the 2017 style for the reasons others have listed. We like the straighter walls so we can hang the Bali cellular blinds we're going to install. My husband likes the new door; he thinks it'll be sturdier. And the (hopefully!) better performing frig will be great. I was not looking forward to futzing around with the frig, which many have had to do with theirs.

But it was a big chunk of change that we handed over to make the switch. And the exchange rate had changed enough by the time we did that (from when we had paid off the trailer previously; before the changes were announced) that it was a very decent chunk of change in US funds. So, I can well understand hesitation on anyone's part.

Many will like the new model, but for me personally, I would stay with the classic. Awning does not appear to have any adjustment after deployment and that wouldn't work for us in the field. I never liked the flat door on my 29 Sticky when I had it and appears to be the same/similar one. After playing with the frameless Windows at RV show I wouldn't get them and would have the old style thermal sliders. So nothing in the new features is anything I want.
Mostly though it has moved too far away from the traditional egg-shape trailer and is too boxy for me. Kind of like the folks that like a 65 corvette and really don't like the lines on the new corvette's. It is still a very nice trailer and ETI is great to work with, but for me I'm very happy we pulled the trigger and got the 19 last year.

For our 19 to be build soon, we also have the choice, and we go with the "classic" version. The kids say: "that's cause you are from the hippie years". They are right, the "classic" style has something to it we just can't resist.

Many will like the new model, but for me personally, I would stay with the classic. Awning does not appear to have any adjustment after deployment and that wouldn't work for us in the field. I never liked the flat door on my 29 Sticky when I had it and appears to be the same/similar one. After playing with the frameless Windows at RV show I wouldn't get them and would have the old style thermal sliders. So nothing in the new features is anything I want.
Mostly though it has moved too far away from the traditional egg-shape trailer and is too boxy for me. Kind of like the folks that like a 65 corvette and really don't like the lines on the new corvette's. It is still a very nice trailer and ETI is great to work with, but for me I'm very happy we pulled the trigger and got the 19 last year.

All 100% valid observations and thoughts (of course)

but given how our particular timing worked out, we did not have the option of a 'classic' 21' .... so we have to get the 2017 model.

We are excited about the awning style thermal windows.... given that we are a long way from full timing, I doubt we'll have problems with them... and i'm happy to periodically put a conditioner on the rubber gaskets on them.

and being able to leave the awning windows open and worry less about rain is a nice thing.

I myself really like the integrated screen door, so we'll enjoy that.

I also like the quick and easy awning deployment.

I also look forward to the more boxy style....... but like i said... we don't have the option of a classic, so I guess i'm just an optimist. We'll like what we get!